TENS of thousands of pounds worth of hand-crafted jewellery, gold bullion and platinum has been stolen from a north Lancashire goldsmiths.

Detectives are investigating after Macmillan Clare Designer Goldsmiths at Tewitfield, near Carnforth, was broken into at around 8.30pm on Wednesday, November 7.

Custom-made 18ct gold and platinum wedding and engagement rings and necklaces were among the items taken in two safes.

The studio and workshop, based at Greenlands Farm Village, is run by husband and wife Fenella Macmillan and Tony Clare who said it had been a ‘difficult time’.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “At this stage, it is not known whether one person was involved or whether it was a group of people.

“They gained access to the shop by breaking the locks on the door with what is believed to have been a heavy, possibly bladed, instrument.

“Once the offenders entered the premises they stole two safes containing property, including various rings, necklaces and earrings, and it is believed that they were removed from the scene in a vehicle.”

DC Tristan Hardwick added: “I would appeal to anybody who was in the area at the time who may have seen anybody acting suspiciously to contact police.